Amelioration of distress Anxiety among mothers during Newborn stay in Neonatal Intensive care unit (NICU): An Interventional study

Background: The neonatal period is a critical time for both newborns and their families, often marked by significant stress and anxiety for mothers due to the uncertainty and medical complexities of neonatal care. Understanding and mitigating these emotional challenges is essential for improving maternal well-being and enhancing the overall care experience. Objective: This study aims to measures distress, anxiety among mothers during Newborn stay in Neonatal Intensive care unit (NICU) in the clinical setting. Methods: This descriptive pilot study was conducted in regional tertiary care medical hospital of Andhrapradesh, India. In this total of 200 mother have been recruited. at first 100 mothers anxiety levels were measured with likert scale and without showing the treatment video of newborns at NICU (n=100) and further next 100 mothers anxiety levels were measured with likert scale with showing the treatment video recordings of the respective new born at NICU (n=100). Results: Preliminary findings suggest that psychological support, including counseling and showing the video recordings of the respective new born treatment to the mothers, significantly reduced maternal anxiety. Enhanced communication and educational initiatives regarding the newborn's condition and care also contributed to lower levels of distress. Conclusion: This study highlights the complex relationship between information and emotional well-being for mothers in the NICU. While treatment videos can improve understanding, they can also increase anxiety and stress. A balanced approach that combines information sharing with emotional support is crucial for ensuring positive experiences for mothers in the NICU. Future research should explore additional factors influencing maternal perceptions and investigate long-term effects of such interventions.